No distribution rate hike since 2011, says Davao Light

However, Edillon said the agency has imposed a slight increase in their transmission and generation charges due to the ingoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

“Davao Light did not have any increase since 2011 in the distribution rate. However, the total rate right now has a slight increase because of the pass on charges. These are charges in generation and transmission,” Edillon told reporters at  the AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday (July 6) at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. 

He said beginning June this year, the total generation and transmission rate kilowatt per hour is at P11.00 from the previous month which was at P9.00 or P10.00.

He said the increase was due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia affecting the increase of prices of petroleum products in the World market.

Meanwhile, Edillon for the meantime refuses to release any official statement on the expansion of DLPC’s franchise area in Davao del Norte.

On May 30, 2022 , the senate had approved on  third and final reading  House Bill (HB) 10554, or an act expanding the franchise area of DLPC of the AboitizPower subsidiary to include Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

These areas are currently covered by the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO), formerly Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative. 

According to Edillon, they will issue a statement once the law is enacted.

“We will not release any statement right now considering the law has yet to be enacted which was approved by both lower and upper houses of Congress. Once the law is enacted , that’s the time we can provide a statement on this,” he said.

Edillon assures that DLPC is always ready to respond to any concerns related to their existing franchise. 

NORDECO in its earlier statement said they will remain steadfast in its commitment to serve its Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) as mandated in Presidential Decree No. 269 despite the approval of said HB 10554.

According to NORDECO whose franchise is yet to expire in 2028 for the mainland and 2033 for the IGACOS, shall continue to operate as the distribution utility under its franchise coverage area and shall continue to implement projects and programs to avoid unnecessary disruption of power supply and services in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro Provinces.